Prospects for the restoration of transport communications in the South Caucasus were discussed at the 8th meeting of the trilateral working group chaired by the Deputy Prime Ministers of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia in Moscow on October 20.

According to the Russian government, they discussed the work done within the framework of the Declaration signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia on January 11, 2021.

The meeting was attended by Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, and Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mger Grigoryan.

According to the Russian government, the parties agreed to hold the second part of the 8th meeting in the near future.

Azerbaijan did not provide detailed information about the meeting.

Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan told reporters before his visit to Moscow that Armenia had "certain ideas" about the restoration of communications and the opening of the railway in the region.

On the eve of the meeting, it was reported that Azerbaijan had returned five Armenian servicemen to Armenia. Armenia says Armenian servicemen detained after the war are "captives," while Azerbaijan says they entered the country after the war and were detained and tried during an anti-terror operation.

Although Azerbaijan and Armenia wanted to open transport communications in the region after the Second Karabakh War, which took place a year ago and lasted 44 days, they have not yet been able to agree on concrete steps in this direction.